Greene season comes to an ‘END’

ENDICOTT – Greene coach Tim Paske told his team it took the football program farther than it’s ever been before. Saturday’s trip to the Section IV, Class C championship game was as far as the Trojans would travel in 2008.

“We’re disappointed, but proud of where the senior class took this program,” Paske said. “This is where we wanted to be, and the underclassmen now know what it takes to get to the next step.”

Taking that next step into the state playoffs is newly-crowned sectional champion Elmira Notre Dame (END), who quelled Greene’s typically potent offense winning a 14-6 final at Ty Cobb Stadium in Endicott. It was the third sectional championship for the Crusaders, and first in 10 seasons. The victory also ended Greene’s perfect string of nine victories.

“We faced a lot of adversity this season, so to have this happen is a good feeling,” said END head coach Mike D’Aloisio. “Really, it’s a cliché, but Greene didn’t deserve to lose this game, nor did we. We bent a little bit on defense, but didn’t break, and we’re fortunate to move on.”

Elmira Notre Dame was on the spot for every Greene miscue forcing three second-half turnovers, while also sniffing out and snuffing a fake punt attempt in the third quarter.

The Trojans had just over 7 1/2 minutes of possession time in the second half as Elmira Notre Dame chewed up clock with methodical drives. The Crusaders had the ball in Greene territory three times and came away empty. In one sequence, it was halted on a second-and-goal from the one. A fumble and a sack later, the Trojans remained within 8-6.